Customs officers allowed now to wear face masks

The union representing customs officers at border ports of entry has struck an agreement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection that allows agency employees to wear protective face masks at their discretion.

This year during the initial outbreak of H1N1 virus, known as swine flu, the local chapter of the National Treasury Employees Union alleged that several inspectors at the San Ysidro Port of Entry who donned face masks while working had been asked by supervisors to remove them. At the national level, the union pressed the agency for an official directive allowing customs officers to use the N95 respirator, a common type of disposable face mask.

The agreement was announced by the union yesterday. “While long overdue, this is a major victory for front-line employees and their families,” union President Colleen M. Kelley said in a statement.